2023 DATE: July 28-30, 2023
AUTHOR’S NOTE: In 2018, the festival moved to the Darke County Fairgrounds in Greenville.
This post documents my experience on July 25, 2015.
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Phoebe Ann Mosey, known around the world today as Annie Oakley, was born in Darke County, Ohio on August 13, 1860.
She grew up under poor conditions and some rather unfortunate circumstances, but this eventually changed, thanks to her remarkable marksmanship that brought her to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.
Nicknamed “Little Sure Shot,” she showed off her shooting skills around the world to kings and queens and to audiences galore.
She also taught nearly 15,000 women how to use a gun.
Definitely an Ohioan worth noting in the history books…
…and for celebrating via a festival!
Relocated last year to Ansonia’s York Woods (north of Greenville)…
…the Annie Oakley Festival had a campy woodsy feel.
Vendors lined the pathways with tons of second-hand goods…
…hand-carved birdhouses and chairs…
…all natural soaps…
…various plant and basket gifts…
…furs, antlers…
…skulls…
…and any necessary military supplies.
Food options were also plentiful…
…including bacon-wrapped dogs…
…all things fried…
…snow cones galore…
…and some incredible donuts!
Seriously, they were sooo good!
Although the free area tour bus had already arrived, it was still pretty early (hence, eating the donuts).
One of the musical groups was just setting up…
…and we didn’t get to see the talks done at this Western Town stage…
…take part in the kids’ games…
…or see the various horsemanship demos or melodramas.
We did, however, take advantage of the petting zoo…
…by hogging all the attention from the donkeys and goats (the pigs were sleeping).
We were also able to check out the Fast Draw Competition….
…where sharpshooters were paired against each other…
…and given three tries to see who was faster.
I wonder how Annie would have done.